SAUGUS – The Board of Selectmen will be sending letters to state officials and Spectrum Health Systems requesting that the methadone clinic planned for 168 Broadway (Route 1 north) be moved elsewhere.Methadone is administered to reduce the withdrawal effects of heroin and oxycodone; however, the narcotic is also addictive.However, Selectman Stephen Castinetti predicted an uphill battle, saying that the lease has already been signed and state law allows the clinic to bypass zoning regulations as the building is considered an educational facility.Castinetti said he had heard rumors about a methadone clinic being built in Godfried’s Plaza and told property owner Suleyman Celimli that he was very much opposed to the idea. He also said that he asked Building Inspector Fred Varone to “keep it out of Saugus.” However, despite Varone’s efforts, there was no way around it.”I think it’s a slap in the face to the whole neighborhood down there,” Castinetti said.Selectmen voted unanimously to send the letter to Spectrum CEO Charles Faris and the state delegation.North Saugus residents nearly filled half the auditorium at Tuesday’s meeting as they gathered in opposition to the clinic.Resident Annmarie Napolitano of Pinehurst Avenue, which intersects with Route 1 just north of Godfried’s Plaza, said she wanted to petition state legislators to change the law so that such establishments must abide by the zoning regulations. She also said that the building remains vacant, therefore, action can still be taken.”Nothing’s a done deal until it’s a done deal,” she said. “Not being notified should be a reason to fight this.”Napolitano said calls to state Sen. Thomas McGee and state Rep. Donald Wong have been unproductive. “There should have been some type of meeting with the state,” she said. “We should have been notified.”Napolitano said that over the years, the neighborhood has had problems with drugs and gun violence, adding that things have just recently started to quiet down. “I hope you can help us,” she said to the board.Chairman Ellen Faiella said the town only has control over whether to approve a building permit.”This is not something in the scope of our authority,” said Faiella, although she said she agreed with Napolitano.”You should have been addressed,” she said.Selectman Debra Panetta expressed her discontent saying that the board has worked hard to keep the neighborhood safe.”We were appalled when we found out about this,” she said. “We want to help, we truly want to help.”Bow Street resident Deborah Nicholls said there are several other vacant buildings on Route 1 where the clinic could open without being next to a residential neighborhood.”We have so many young families coming into our area, and I’d hate to see them all go once they find out there’s a methadone clinic within 1,000 feet,” she said.Nicholls echoed Napolitano, saying that action needs to be taken on the state level.”They could file a bill on the hill,” she said.